Bible Dictionaries
Accept, Accepted, Acceptable

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

signifies "to accept," by a deliberate and ready reception of what is offered (cp. No. 4), e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:13 , RV, "accepted;" 2 Corinthians 8:17; 11:4 . See RECEIVE , TAKE.

consisting of apo, "from," intensive, and No. 1, expresses dechomai more strongly, signifying "to receive heartily, to welcome," Luke 8:40 (RV, "welcomed," AV, "gladly received"); Acts 2:41; 18:27; 24:3; 28:30 . See RECEIVE , WELCOME.

pros, "to," and No. 1, "to accept favorably, or receive to oneself," is used of things future, in the sense of expecting; with the meaning of "accepting," it is used negatively in Hebrews 11:35 , "not accepting their deliverance;" of receiving, e.g., Luke 15:2; Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 . See ALLOW , LOOK (for), RECEIVE , TAKE , WAIT.

almost synonymous with dechomai, is distinct from it, in that it sometimes means "to receive as merely a self-prompted action," without necessarily signifying a favorable reception, Galatians 2:6 . See ATTAIN , CALL , CATCH , HAVE , HOLD , OBTAIN , RECEIVE , TAKE.

Note: The verb charitoo, "to make acceptable," is translated "made accepted," in Ephesians 1:6 , AV; RV, "freely bestowed."

*The following adjectives are translated "acceptable," or in some cases "accepted." The R.V. more frequently adopts the former rendering.

akin to No. 1, denotes "a person or thing who has been regarded favorably," Luke 4:19,24; Acts 10:35; 2 Corinthians 6:2 (in this verse No. 3 is used in the second place); Philippians 4:18 .

a strengthened form of No. 1 (apo, "from," used intensively), signifies "acceptable," in the sense of what is pleasing and welcome, 1 Timothy 2:3; 5:4 .

a still stronger form of No. 1, signifies a "very favorable acceptance" (eu, "well," pros, "towards," No. 1), Romans 15:16,31; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 8:12; 1 Peter 2:5 .

eu, "well," arestos, "pleasing," is rendered "acceptable," in the AV of Romans 12:1,2; 14:18; in 2 Corinthians 5:9 , "accepted;" Ephesians 5:10 . The RV usually has "well-pleasing;" so AV and RV in Philippians 4:18; Colossians 3:20; in Titus 2:9 , "please well," AV; Hebrews 13:21 . See PLEASING.

corresponding to B, No. 4, is used in Hebrews 12:28 , "so as to please." See PLEASE.

akin to B, No. 2, signifies "worthy to be received with approbation, acceptation," 1 Timothy 1:15; 4:9 . The phrase in 1:15 is found in a writing in the 1st century expressing appreciation of a gift from a princess.

"grace," indicating favor on the part of the giver, "thanks" on the part of the receiver, is rendered "acceptable" in 1 Peter 2:19,20 . See margin. See BENEFIT , FAVOR , GRACE , LIBERALITY , PLEASURE , THANK.